Chicago pharmacist charged with peddling fake drug

A Chicago pharmacist is charged with dispensing counterfeit drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction.

The federal indictment announced Thursday accuses Michael Markiewicz, owner of Belmont Pharmacy, of buying counterfeit Viagra and Cialis from China and dispensing the products at his pharmacy.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation suspended Markiewicz' pharmacist license and revoked Belmont Pharmacy's license in November 2012. However, federal prosecutors say the store continues to operate as a nutrition and herb retailer.

The 36-year-old Markiewicz of Norridge is charged with eight counts of violating the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act; four counts of trafficking in counterfeit drugs or goods using a counterfeit mark and three counts of smuggling.

It wasn't immediately known if Markiewicz, who hasn't been arraigned, has legal counsel.

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